Colorimetric detection and quantitative estimation of peracids using a redox sensitive leuco dye

ABSTRACT

A composition, method and kit for quantifying the concentration of one peracid or the total concentration of two or more peracids in a water source are disclosed. In particular, an oxidation sensitive or peroxycarboxylic acid selective leuco dye is used to react only with one or more peroxycarboxylic acids in a water source but not with peroxide usually co-existing in the water source. Not only does the oxidation sensitive or peroxycarboxylic acid selective leuco dye react with peracid(s) but also the reaction generates a color species that can be used visually or through absorbance measurement to quantify the peracid concentration. The method disclosed here is not a titration method, it involves a simple mixing step. The kit or composition disclosed here does not utilize a catalyst, such as iodine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to provisionalapplication U.S. Ser. No. 62/434,554 filed Dec. 15, 2016, hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. The entire contents of thispatent application are hereby expressly incorporated herein by referenceincluding, without limitation, the specification, claims, and abstract,as well as any figures, tables, or drawings thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to use of a redox sensitive leuco dye forquantifying a peracid concentration in a water source or a peracidcomposition. Various water sources and/or a peracid compositions canemploy a redox sensitive leuco dye for quantifying their peracidconcentrations, including for example those used in oil and gasoperation, during which the peracid concentration needs to be measuredor monitored constantly. The present disclosure enables almost anyone toquantify a peracid or mixture of peracids in real time and on-site,without the need to collect a sample, send the sample to a remotelaboratory or do a titration, and wait for the result before assessingthe concentration for adjustments thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Peracids (also referred to synonymously herein as peroxycarboxylicacids), as well as mixed peracid systems, are known for use asantimicrobials and bleaching agents in a variety of industries.Hereinafter, peracids and peroxycarboxylic acids are usedinterchangeably in this disclosure. Peracetic acid or peroxyacetic acid(PAA or POAA) (dynamic equilibrium mixture of POAA/PAA, H₂O₂, H₂O andAA) have been used in the food and beverage industries as a fast acting,“green” antimicrobial. Such products demonstrate beneficial propertiestowards oxidizing solids and improving water quality. In addition,compared to other commercially available biocides, the use ofperoxyacetic acid results in a low environmental footprint due in partto its decomposition into innocuous components (e.g. acetic acid (AA),oxygen, CO₂ and H₂O). See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,939, entitled“Antimicrobial Peracid Compositions with Selected Catalase Enzymes andMethods of Use in Aseptic Packaging,” which is incorporated by referencein its entirety.

Peroxycarboxylic acids have also been used for certain water treatmentapplications in the area of commercial oil and gas operations becausethere remains a need for enhanced water treatment methods. See forexample U.S. Pat. No. 9,018,142, entitled “Peracetic Acid Oil-FieldBiocide and Method,” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,178, which are incorporatedby reference in their entirety. For example, from a microbiologyperspective, mitigation of microorganisms is essential to minimizeenvironmental concerns for waste products and to avoid contamination ofsystems such as well or reservoir souring and/ormicrobiologically-influenced corrosion (MIC). As a result, prior to thedrilling and fracking steps, water is treated to restrict theintroduction of microbes into the well or reservoir. This also acts toprevent microbes from having a negative effect on the integrity of thefluids. In addition, before disposal, flow-back water is treated toabide environmental restrictions stipulated by regulatory agencies.

For the purpose of mitigation of microorganisms, it is essential to havean effective level of the peroxycarboxylic acid(s) in a treated watersource. In oil and gas operations, an accurate estimation for the volumeof a particular water source needed to be treated is usually difficultbecause the container for the water source is usually anything but aregular container. The difficulty to have an accurate water volumerequires the actual level of peroxycarboxylic acid to be monitoredduring peroxycarboxylic acid dosing or application. In addition,peroxycarboxylic acids and hydrogen peroxide are prone to quenching fromcommon, naturally occurring chemicals which can severely limit theirutility. Over dosing may be effective for controlling microorganisms butis not desirable.

Despite its fast action and eco-friendly properties, the use ofperoxycarboxylic acids, including peroxyacetic acid, has a number ofdrawbacks for use in water treatment methods for oil and gas production.For example, high dosages of the peroxycarboxylic acids can increase thecorrosion rates in pipelines and equipment due in part to the presenceof hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Moreover, the peroxycarboxylic acids/H₂O₂can interfere with the activity of functional agents necessary for themethods of water treatment in oil and gas recovery, including frictionreducers and thickeners which are often critical for the frackingprocess. Because of these drawbacks, use of peroxycarboxylic acids inoil and gas production for water treatment needs constant monitoring inorder to prevent the existence of a high concentration peroxycarboxylicacid in a water source and potential damage thereof or an ineffectiveconcentration.

Quantification of peroxycarboxylic acids has often relied on titrationtechniques or colorimetric dye that are cumbersome or complicated touse. There is a need for a simpler analytical procedure that candetermine the concentration of a peroxycarboxylic acid in oil and gasoperations. In light of the foregoing, there remains a demand forimproved methods, compositions, and kits for quantifying aperoxycarboxylic acid concentration in real time and on site.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the disclosure to provide acomposition, method and kit for quantifying a peroxycarboxylic acid in awater source or in a peroxycarboxylic acid composition.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure willbecome apparent from the following specification taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a method of using a redox sensitiveleuco dye to quantify the peroxycarboxylic acid concentration in a watersource, especially a water source used in oil and gas operations.Traditional methods for determining a concentration of aperoxycarboxylic acid in a solution usually involve a titration methodwhich requires a certain laboratory setup, standard solutionpreparation, instrument calibration, and a multiple step procedure.These traditional methods are difficult to use in a typical oil and gasoperation, where the concentration of a peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition or water source needs to be determined on site and in realtime before the water source is used in the operation or released intothe environment.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a peroxycarboxylic acidquantification composition comprising a redox sensitive leuco dye and aperoxycarboxylic acid composition; wherein the peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition comprises a C₁-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acid, the redoxsensitive leuco dye selectively reacts with the peroxycarboxylic acid inthe peroxycarboxylic acid composition to form a colored species, theleuco dye does not react with hydrogen peroxide, and the colored speciesexhibits a stable absorbance within about 20 minutes at a visible lightwavelength and the absorbance intensity linearly proportional to theconcentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid of between about 1 ppm andabout 100 ppm, or more precise ranges there between.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method ofquantifying a peroxycarboxylic acid concentration in a treated watersource. The method comprises providing a water source (a sample of awater source), contacting the water source with a redox sensitive leucodye to form a peroxycarboxylic acid quantification composition, andmeasuring an absorbance of the peroxycarboxylic acid quantificationcomposition at a visible light wavelength to quantify theperoxycarboxylic acid by using the absorbance-peroxycarboxylic acidconcentration standard curve or by comparing the color of theperoxycarboxylic acid quantification composition against acolor-peroxycarboxylic acid concentration chart; wherein the watersource comprises a C₁-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acid, a C₁-C₂₂ carboxylicacid, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination thereof.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a colorimetricassay kit. The kit comprises a clear and colorless vial containing aredox sensitive leuco dye, and a color—peroxycarboxylic acidconcentration chart, wherein the vial can receive a certain amount of aperoxycarboxylic acid composition or a water source, and optionallyinstructions for use.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawingsand detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in natureand not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 shows the absorbance spectra of the mixture of a peracetic acidcomposition and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) at different timesafter the mixture formation.

FIG. 2 shows the absorbance of the mixture of peracetic acid compositionand 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) at 326 nm and 424 nm,respectively, at different times after the mixture formation.

FIG. 3A shows color formations observed upon addition of peracetic acidcomposition, hydrogen peroxide alone, water alone, or formic acid aloneto 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) solution. No color change isobserved with water, acid, or hydrogen peroxide addition.

FIG. 3B shows the absorbance measured at 424 nm at different times aftermixing of TMB and hydrogen peroxide alone.

FIG. 4 shows the absorbance value after different volumes (in μL) of aperacetic acid composition were added to a TMB solution.

FIG. 5 shows the correlation between the peracetic acid concentrationand the absorbance value at 424 nm.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C shows the color difference for a TMBsolution in the presence of a peroxycarboxylic acid composition,peroxide alone, or acid alone, without presence of molybdate orpotassium iodide (FIG. 6A), with presence of molybdate (FIG. 6B), orwith presence of potassium iodide (FIG. 6C).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present disclosure relates to compositions, methods, and kits thatcomprise a redox sensitive leuco dye for quantifying a peroxycarboxylicacid concentration in a sample. The sample can be an antimicrobialperoxycarboxylic acid composition that is in turn used to treat a watersource. The sample can be an antimicrobial peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition used to treat various hard surfaces, such as health caresurfaces, instruments, and medical instruments in need of sanitation.The sample can also be a water source that has been treated previouslyby an antimicrobial peroxycarboxylic acid composition such those used inoil and gas operations. The embodiments of this invention are notlimited to any particular peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, which canvary and are understood by skilled artisans based on the disclosureherein.

The term “hard surface” refers to a solid, substantially non-flexiblesurface such as a counter top, tile, floor, wall, panel, window,plumbing fixture, kitchen and bathroom furniture, appliance, engine,circuit board, and dish. Hard surfaces may include for example, healthcare surfaces and food processing surfaces.

As used herein, the phrase “health care surface” refers to a surface ofan instrument, a device, a cart, a cage, furniture, a structure, abuilding, or the like that is employed as part of a health careactivity. Examples of health care surfaces include surfaces of medicalor dental instruments, of medical or dental devices, of electronicapparatus employed for monitoring patient health, and of floors, walls,or fixtures of structures in which health care occurs. Health caresurfaces are found in hospital, surgical, infirmity, birthing, mortuary,and clinical diagnosis rooms. These surfaces can be those typified as“hard surfaces” (such as walls, floors, bed-pans, etc.), or fabricsurfaces, e.g., knit, woven, and non-woven surfaces (such as surgicalgarments, draperies, bed linens, bandages, etc.), or patient-careequipment (such as respirators, diagnostic equipment, shunts, bodyscopes, wheel chairs, beds, etc.), or surgical and diagnostic equipment.Health care surfaces include articles and surfaces employed in animalhealth care.

As used herein, the term “instrument” refers to the various medical ordental instruments or devices that can benefit from cleaning with acomposition according to the present invention. As used herein, thephrases “medical instrument,” “dental instrument,” “medical device,”“dental device,” “medical equipment,” or “dental equipment” refer toinstruments, devices, tools, appliances, apparatus, and equipment usedin medicine or dentistry. Such instruments, devices, and equipment canbe cold sterilized, soaked or washed and then heat sterilized, orotherwise benefit from cleaning in a composition of the presentinvention. These various instruments, devices and equipment include, butare not limited to: diagnostic instruments, trays, pans, holders, racks,forceps, scissors, shears, saws (e.g. bone saws and their blades),hemostats, knives, chisels, rongeurs, files, nippers, drills, drillbits, rasps, burrs, spreaders, breakers, elevators, clamps, needleholders, carriers, clips, hooks, gouges, curettes, retractors,straightener, punches, extractors, scoops, keratomes, spatulas,expressers, trocars, dilators, cages, glassware, tubing, catheters,cannulas, plugs, stents, scopes (e.g., endoscopes, stethoscopes, andarthroscopes) and related equipment, and the like, or combinationsthereof.

The compositions, methods, and kits according to the embodiments of thedisclosure provide a very convenient and fast way to quantifyperoxycarboxylic acid concentration and are a significant improvementover the prior art. The present disclosure can bring a significantchange for industries in need of quantifying peroxycarboxylic acidconcentration for effective utilization of the peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions and safe release or use of a water source that has beentreated with a peroxycarboxylic acid composition. Using the presentdisclosure, one does not need to collect samples, send them to aproperly equipped laboratory, analyze them by highly trained personnel,or use complicated titration procedures that are prone to interferencefrom components present in water. Instead, the present disclosureenables almost anyone to quantify peroxycarboxylic acid concentration inreal time and make a decision based on the result. The present kit alsoimproves the overall safety of the procedure by eliminating the need forstrong acids and can be easily automated for a real-time estimation ofboth peroxycarboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

It is further to be understood that all terminology used herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting in any manner or scope. For example, as used inthis specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”and “the” can include plural referents unless the content clearlyindicates otherwise. Further, all units, prefixes, and symbols may bedenoted in its SI accepted form.

Numeric ranges recited within the specification are inclusive of thenumbers within the defined range. Throughout this disclosure, variousaspects of this disclosure are presented in a range format. It should beunderstood that the description in range format is merely forconvenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexiblelimitation on the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the descriptionof a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all thepossible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within thatrange (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

So that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, certainterms are first defined. Unless defined otherwise, all technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments ofthe disclosure pertain. Many methods and materials similar, modified, orequivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of theembodiments of the present disclosure without undue experimentation. Thepreferred materials and methods are described herein. In describing andclaiming the embodiments of the present disclosure, the followingterminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set outbelow.

The term “about,” as used herein, refers to variations in the numericalquantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring andliquid handling procedures used for making concentrates or use solutionsin the real world; through inadvertent error in these procedures;through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of theingredients used to make the compositions or carry out the methods; andthe like. The term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due todifferent equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from aparticular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term “about”,the claims include equivalents to the quantities.

The term “actives” or “percent actives” or “percent by weight actives”or “actives concentration” are used interchangeably herein and refer tothe concentration of those ingredients involved in cleaning expressed asa percentage minus inert ingredients such as water or salts.

The term “weight percent,” “wt-%,” “percent by weight,” “% by weight,”and variations thereof, as used herein, refer to the concentration of asubstance as the weight of that substance divided by the total weight ofthe composition and multiplied by 100. It is understood that, as usedhere, “percent,” “%,” and the like are intended to be synonymous with“weight percent,” “wt-%,” etc.

The methods, compositions and kits of the present disclosure maycomprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components andingredients of the present disclosure as well as other ingredientsdescribed herein. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” means thatthe methods, systems, apparatuses and compositions may includeadditional steps, components or ingredients, but only if the additionalsteps, components or ingredients do not materially alter the basic andnovel characteristics of the claimed methods, systems, apparatuses, andcompositions.

Leuco Dye/Redox Sensitive Leuco Dye/Oxidation Sensitive LeucoDye/Peracid Selective Leuco Dye

The compositions, methods, and kits disclosed here include a redoxsensitive leuco dye or oxidation sensitive leuco dye. By definition, aleuco dye (from the Greek leukos: white) is a dye that can switchbetween two chemical forms, one of which is colorless, through either areversible or irreversible transformation. For example, phenolphthaleinis a classic leuco dye that changes color upon a change in pH. Otherleuco dyes typically used as redox indicators can be categorized asredox leuco dyes or redox sensitive leuco dyes. Reversibletransformation is one caused by heat, light, or pH. Irreversibletransformation typically is reduction or oxidation reaction between theredox sensitive leuco dye and another chemical agent.

A redox sensitive/oxidation sensitive leuco dye as used in the presentdisclosure changes its color by reacting with a peroxycarboxylic acid ora mixture of two or more peroxycarboxylic acids, but not with hydrogenperoxide, when there is no other catalyst for oxidation reaction byperoxycarboxylic acid, peroxide, or hydrogen peroxide present. In otherwords, a redox sensitive leuco dye as used in the present disclosure isa peracid selective redox sensitive leuco dye. More specifically, theredox sensitive leuco dye used in the present disclosure is an oxidationsensitive leuco dye or a peracid selective leuco dye, as the dye itselfis colorless and displays color when oxidized by the peracids.

Suitable redox sensitive leuco dyes for use in the present disclosureare those redox sensitive leuco dyes that are oxidizable dyes andinsensitive to hydrogen peroxide. In an aspect, the compositions,methods, and kits disclosed herein include at least one peracidselective dye or one peracid selective redox sensitive leuco dye.Suitable commercially-available peracid selective leuco dyes include TMB(3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, CAS 54827-17-7) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS, CAS 30931-67-0). On theother hand, 4-chloro-naphthol (CAS 604-44-4) and3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (CAS 132-32-1) can be used for the estimationof a peroxide or peroxides only in the presence of molybdate and of bothperacid/peroxide in the presence of molybdate and iodide.

Peroxycarboxylic Acids (Peracids) and Peroxycarboxylic Acid (Peracid)Compositions

As used herein, the terms “mixed” or “mixture” when used relating to“peroxycarboxylic acid composition” refer to a composition or mixtureincluding more than one peroxycarboxylic acid.

As used herein, a peroxycarboxylic acid is usually referred to as aperoxycarboxylic acid compound or substance instead of aperoxycarboxylic acid product or peroxycarboxylic acid composition.

A peroxycarboxylic acid composition or a peroxycarboxylic acid productcontains one or more peroxycarboxylic acid compounds and may containother compounds that ensure the stability or effectiveness of theperoxycarboxylic acid compound(s) as well as the desired pH, viscosity,color, odor, etc. of the final composition or product.

A peroxycarboxylic acid composition or peroxycarboxylic acid productusually is a dynamic equilibrium mixture of one or more peroxycarboxylicacids (such as POAA/PAA, POOA/POA), H₂O₂, H₂O, and one or morecorresponding carboxylic acids. However, as one skilled in the art canascertain methods of generating peroxycarboxylic acids can also providenon-equilibrium compositions or mixtures. Both equilibrium andnon-equilibrium peroxycarboxylic acid composition are suitable for useaccording to the disclosure.

As used herein, the terms “peroxycarboxylic acid” and “peracid” are usedinterchangeably and are meant to include chemicals that contain one ormore C(O)OOH or C(O)OO⁻ groups. Alternatively, as one of skill in theart appreciates, a peroxycarboxylic acid refers to an acid having thehydrogen of the hydroxyl group in carboxylic acid replaced by a hydroxylgroup. Peracids may also be referred to herein as peroxycarboxylicacids.

Sulfoperoxycarboxylic acids, sulfonated peracids and sulfonatedperoxycarboxylic acids are also included within the term “peracid” asused herein. The terms “sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid,” “sulfonatedperacid,” or “sulfonated peroxycarboxylic acid” refer to theperoxycarboxylic acid form of a sulfonated carboxylic acid, such asthose disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,344,026, and U.S. Patent PublicationNos. 2010/0048730 and 2012/0052134, each of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

A peracid includes any compound of the formula R—(COOOH)_(n) in which Rcan be hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkyne, acylic, alicyclic group, aryl,heteroaryl, or heterocyclic group, and n is 1, 2, or 3, and named byprefixing the parent acid with peroxy. Preferably R includes hydrogen,alkyl, or alkenyl. The terms “alkyl,” “alkenyl,” “alkyne,” “acylic,”“alicyclic group,” “aryl,” “heteroaryl,” and “heterocyclic group” are asdefined herein.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” includes a straight or branchedsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms,such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl (1-methylethyl),butyl, tert-butyl (1,1-dimethylethyl), and the like. The term “alkyl” or“alkyl groups” also refers to saturated hydrocarbons having one or morecarbon atoms, including straight-chain alkyl groups (e.g., methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, etc.),cyclic alkyl groups (or “cycloalkyl” or “alicyclic” or “carbocyclic”groups) (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl,cyclooctyl, etc.), branched-chain alkyl groups (e.g., isopropyl,tert-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, etc.), and alkyl-substituted alkylgroups (e.g., alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups andcycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups).

Unless otherwise specified, the term “alkyl” includes both“unsubstituted alkyls” and “substituted alkyls.” As used herein, theterm “substituted alkyls” refers to alkyl groups having substituentsreplacing one or more hydrogens on one or more carbons of thehydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents may include, for example,alkenyl, alkynyl, halogeno, hydroxyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy,alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carboxylate,alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, alkoxyl,phosphate, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, amino (including alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, and alkylarylamino),acylamino (including alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, carbamoyland ureido), imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate,sulfates, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonates, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, nitro,trifluoromethyl, cyano, azido, heterocyclic, alkylaryl, or aromatic(including heteroaromatic) groups.

Alkenyl groups or alkenes are straight chain, branched, or cyclic alkylgroups having two to about 30 carbon atoms and further including atleast one double bond, for example, ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl,1-butenyl, 2-methyl-1-propenyl, and the like. In some embodimentsalkenyl groups have from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, or typically, from2 to 10 carbon atoms. Alkenyl groups may be substituted orunsubstituted. Alkenyl groups may be substituted similarly to alkylgroups.

As used herein, the terms “alkylene”, “cycloalkylene”, “alkynylene” and“alkenylene”, alone or as part of another substituent, refer to adivalent radical derived from an alkyl, cycloalkyl, or alkenyl group,respectively, as exemplified by —CH2CH2CH2—. For alkylene,cycloalkylene, alkynylene, and alkenylene groups, no orientation of thelinking group is implied.

Alkyl or alkenyl can be terminally substituted with a heteroatom, suchas, for example, a nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen atom, forming anaminoalkyl, oxyalkyl, or thioalkyl, for example, aminomethyl, thioethyl,oxypropyl, and the like. Similarly, the above alkyl or alkenyl can beinterrupted in the chain by a heteroatom forming an alkylaminoalkyl,alkylthioalkyl, or alkoxyalkyl, for example, methylaminoethyl,ethylthiopropyl, methoxymethyl, and the like.

Further, as used herein the term “alicyclic” includes any cyclichydrocarbyl containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of suitablealicyclic groups include cyclopropanyl, cyclobutanyl, cyclopentanyl,etc. The term “heterocyclic” includes any closed ring structuresanalogous to carbocyclic groups in which one or more of the carbon atomsin the ring is an element other than carbon (heteroatom), for example, anitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen atom. Heterocyclic groups may be saturatedor unsaturated. Examples of suitable heterocyclic groups include forexample, aziridine, ethylene oxide (epoxides, oxiranes), thiirane(episulfides), dioxirane, azetidine, oxetane, thietane, dioxetane,dithietane, dithiete, azolidine, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, oxolane,dihydrofuran, and furan. Additional examples of suitable heterocyclicgroups include groups derived from tetrahydrofurans, furans, thiophenes,pyrrolidines, piperidines, pyridines, pyrrols, picoline, coumaline, etc.

According to the disclosure, alkyl, alkenyl, alicyclic groups, andheterocyclic groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by, for example,aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkenyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, amino, carboxy,halo, nitro, cyano, —SO₃H, phosphono, or hydroxy. When alkyl, alkenyl,alicyclic group, or heterocyclic group is substituted, preferably thesubstitution is C₁₋₄ alkyl, halo, nitro, amido, hydroxy, carboxy,sulpho, or phosphono. In one embodiment, R includes alkyl substitutedwith hydroxy. The term “aryl” includes aromatic hydrocarbyl, includingfused aromatic rings, such as, for example, phenyl and naphthyl. Theterm “heteroaryl” includes heterocyclic aromatic derivatives having atleast one heteroatom such as, for example, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus,or sulfur, and includes, for example, furyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl,oxazolyl, pyridyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl,isothiazolyl, etc. The term “heteroaryl” also includes fused rings inwhich at least one ring is aromatic, such as, for example, indolyl,purinyl, benzofuryl, etc.

According to the disclosure, aryl and heteroaryl groups can beunsubstituted or substituted on the ring by, for example, aryl,heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, amino, carboxy, halo, nitro, cyano,—SO₃H, phosphono, or hydroxy. When aryl, aralkyl, or heteroaryl issubstituted, preferably the substitution is C₁₋₄ alkyl, halo, nitro,amido, hydroxy, carboxy, sulpho, or phosphono. In one embodiment, Rincludes aryl substituted with C₁₋₄ alkyl.

Peracids suitable for use include any peroxycarboxylic acids, includingvarying lengths of peroxycarboxylic or percarboxylic acids (e.g. C₁₋₂₂)that can be prepared from the acid-catalyzed equilibrium reactionbetween a carboxylic acid described above and hydrogen peroxide. Aperoxycarboxylic acid can also be prepared by the auto-oxidation ofaldehydes or by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with an acid chloride,acid hydride, carboxylic acid anhydride, or sodium alcoholate.Alternatively, peracids can be prepared through non-equilibriumreactions which may be generated for use in situ, such as the methodsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,846,107 and 8,877,254 each titled “In SituGeneration of Peroxycarboxylic Acids at Alkaline pH, and Methods of UseThereof,” US Patent Publication US2016-0176815 A1 titled “Generation ofPeroxyformic Acid Through Polyhydric Alcohol Format”, US PatentPublication US 2016-0176814 titled “Methods for Forming PeroxyformicAcid and Uses Thereof”, U.S. Pat. No. 8,933,263 titled “WaterTemperature as a Means of Controlling Kinetics of Onsite GeneratedPeracids”, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,365,509 titled “Continuous On-lineAdjustable Disinfectant/Sanitizer/Bleach Generator”, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Preferably acomposition of the disclosure includes performic acid, peroxyaceticacid, peroxyoctanoic acid, peroxypropionic acid, peroxylactic acid,peroxyheptanoic acid, peroxyoctanoic acid and/or peroxynonanoic acid.

In some embodiments, a peroxycarboxylic acid composition includes atleast one water-soluble peroxycarboxylic acid that includes an alkylgroup of 1-22 carbon atoms. For example, in one embodiment, aperoxycarboxylic acid composition includes peroxyacetic acid. In anotherembodiment, a peroxycarboxylic acid composition include oneperoxycarboxylic acid that has an alkyl group of 1-22 carbon atomssubstituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. Methods of preparingperoxyacetic acid are known to those of skill in the art including thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,813, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

In another embodiment, a sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid has the followingformula:

wherein R₁ is hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group;R₂ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group; X is hydrogen, acationic group, or an ester forming moiety; or salts or esters thereof.In some embodiments, R₁ is a substituted or unsubstituted C_(m) alkylgroup; X is hydrogen a cationic group, or an ester forming moiety; R₂ isa substituted or unsubstituted C_(n) alkyl group; m=1 to 10; n=1 to 10;and m+n is less than 18, or salts, esters or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, R₁ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R₁ is asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl group. In some embodiments, R₁ is asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl group that does not include a cyclicalkyl group. In some embodiments, R₁ is a substituted alkyl group. Insome embodiments, R₁ is an unsubstituted C₁-C₉ alkyl group. In someembodiments, R₁ is an unsubstituted C₇ or C₈ alkyl. In otherembodiments, R₁ is a substituted C₈-C₁₀ alkylene group. In someembodiments, R₁ is a substituted C₈-C₁₀ alkyl group substituted with atleast 1, or at least 2 hydroxyl groups. In still yet other embodiments,R₁ is a substituted C₁-C₉ alkyl group. In some embodiments, R₁ is asubstituted C₁-C₉ alkyl group substituted with at least 1 SO₃H group. Inother embodiments, R₁ is a C₉-C₁₀ substituted alkyl group. In someembodiments, R₁ is a substituted C₉-C₁₀ alkyl group wherein at least twoof the carbons on the carbon backbone form a heterocyclic group. In someembodiments, the heterocyclic group is an epoxide group.

In some embodiments, R₂ is a substituted C₁-C₁₀ alkylene group. In someembodiments, R₂ is a substituted C₈-C₁₀ alkylene. In some embodiments,R₂ is an unsubstituted C₆-C₉ alkylene. In other embodiments, R₂ is aC₈-C₁₀ alkylene group substituted with at least one hydroxyl group. Insome embodiments, R₂ is a C₁₀ alkylene group substituted with at leasttwo hydroxyl groups. In other embodiments, R₂ is a C₈ alkylene groupsubstituted with at least one SO₃H group. In some embodiments, R₂ is asubstituted C₉ group, wherein at least two of the carbons on the carbonbackbone form a heterocyclic group. In some embodiments, theheterocyclic group is an epoxide group. In some embodiments, R₁ is aC₈-C₉ substituted or unsubstituted alkyl and R₂ is a C₇-C₈ substitutedor unsubstituted alkylene.

These and other suitable sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid compounds for use inthe stabilized peroxycarboxylic acid compositions of the disclosure arefurther disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,344,026, 8,809,392, 9,253,978, and9,359,295 titled “Sulfoperoxycarboxylic Acids, Their Preparation andMethods of Use as Bleaching and Antimicrobial Agents”, U.S. Pat. No.8,425,775 titled “Biofilm Remediation of Fracture Fluid”, and U.S. Pat.No. 8,871,807 titled “Detergents Capable of Cleaning, Bleaching,Sanitizing and/or Disinfecting Textiles Including SulfoperoxycarboxylicAcids”, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

In additional embodiments, a sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid is combined witha single or mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition, such as asulfoperoxycarboxylic acid with peroxyacetic acid, peroxyoctanoic acidand sulfuric acid (PSOA/POOA/POAA/H₂SO₄). In other embodiments, a mixedperacid is employed, such as a peroxycarboxylic acid including at leastone peroxycarboxylic acid of limited water solubility in which Rincludes alkyl of 5-22 carbon atoms and at least one water-solubleperoxycarboxylic acid in which R includes alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms. Forexample, in one embodiment, a peroxycarboxylic acid includesperoxyacetic acid and at least one other peroxycarboxylic acid such asthose named above. Preferably a composition of the disclosure includesperoxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid. Other combinations of mixedperacids are well suited for use in the current disclosure.

In another embodiment, a mixture of peracetic acid and peroctanoic acidis used to treat a water source, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,314,687 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Inan aspect, the peracid mixture is a hydrophilic peracetic acid and ahydrophobic peroctanoic acid providing antimicrobial synergy. In anaspect, the synergy of a mixed peracid system allows the use of lowerdosages of the peracids.

In another embodiment, a tertiary peracid mixture composition, such asperoxysulfonated oleic acid, peracetic acid and peroctanoic acid areused to treat a water source, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.8,344,026 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Acombination of the three peracids provides significant antimicrobialsynergy providing an efficient antimicrobial composition for the watertreatment methods according to the disclosure. In addition, it isthought the high acidity built in the composition assists in removingchemical contaminants from the water (e.g. sulfite and sulfide species)and the defoaming agent (e.g. aluminum sulfate) provides defoaming (e.g.combating foam caused by any anionic surface-active agents used in thewater treatment).

The mixed peroxycarboxylic acid compositions often provide synergisticmicro efficacy. Accordingly, compositions of the disclosure can includea peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof.

A peoxycarboxylic acid composition comprising one or moreperoxycarboxylic acids is also used in hospitals and clinics, foodprocessing, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutritional product plants,hospitality industry, dental, or other health facilities to treatvarious hard surfaces of instruments, rooms, etc., in order to removemicrobes and germs in various forms. For different applications indifferent settings, the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid(s) isa very important factor for consideration for the effective use of thecomposition and disposal thereof after use.

The desired concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid(s) in aperoxycarboxylic acid composition of course depends on the purpose ofthe composition. In some applications in hospitals and clinic, thedesired concentration is at least 1,000 ppm to remove biofilm or atleast 2,000 ppm to kill spores. In some other applications, the desiredconcentration can be lower. In some applications, such as in oil and gasoperation, the desired concentration is a range of from about 1 ppm to100 ppm. In any case, use a peroxycarboxylic acid composition in a rightway or proper amount to achieve the desired concentration for itsintended purpose is critical.

The desired concentration can be obtained from using a ready-to-useproduct or from diluting a concentrated composition or commercialformulations with a proper amount of water or solvents. However, if oneconsiders the various factors such as product degradation duringtransportation or storage, consumption during use, or interferingcompounds from water or solvents, to decrease peroxycarboxylic acidconcentration, real time or on-site checking or monitoring theconcentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid(s) before the application ofthe composition or during the application is always desirable.

Various commercial formulations of peracids are available, including forexample peracetic acid (15%) and hydrogen peroxide (10%) available asEnviroSan (Ecolab, Inc., St. Paul Minn.). Most commercial peracidsolutions state a specific percarboxylic acid concentration withoutreference to the other chemical components in a use solution. However,it should be understood that commercial products, such as peraceticacid, will also contain the corresponding carboxylic acid (e.g. aceticacid), hydrogen peroxide and water.

A peroxycarboxylic acid composition of course includes a dilutedsolution of a concentrated peroxycarboxylic acid, such as a commerciallyavailable peracid product. As used here, a peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition also includes a water source that has been treated with aperoxycarboxylic acid composition, since after treatment, the watersource contains a peroxycarboxylic acid.

When a peroxycarboxylic acid composition or water source contains two ormore peroxycarboxylic acids, the compositions, methods, and kitsdisclosed herein can be used for quantifying the total concentration ofthe peroxycarboxylic acids in the same peroxycarboxylic acid compositionor the water source.

Water Sources

As used here, a water source is any body of water that has been treatedor contacted with a peroxycarboxylic acid, peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition, or peroxycarboxylic acid product. In some embodiments, thewater source used in the present disclosure is a dilutedperoxycarboxylic acid composition. In some other embodiments, the watersource used in the present disclosure is a water source previouslytreated with a peroxycarboxylic acid composition. In some embodiments,the water source or the peroxycarboxylic acid composition is a solutionready for treating instrument surfaces or walls of room, or a resultedsolution after such treatments. In some embodiments, the water source orthe peroxycarboxylic acid composition may be subjected to additionaltreatments before or after its formation.

As one skilled in the art will ascertain, a peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition has been used in treatment of all kinds of water sources,such as dormant water sources and flow back waters. Usually, peracid usesolutions are added to waters in need of treatment. For example, a watersource is treated by a peracid composition before its disposal. Flowback waters (e.g. post fracking) are treated to minimize microbialcontaminations in the waters and to remove solids prior to disposal ofthe water into a subterranean well, reuse in a subsequent fracturingapplication or return of the water into local environmental watersources. Such flow back waters may be held, for example, in tanks, pondsor the like.

In an aspect, the water source in need of treatment may varysignificantly. In one example, the water source is the water used in afood or beverage plant. In another example, the water source may be afreshwater source (e.g. pond water), salt water or brine source,brackish water source, recycled water source, or the like used in otherindustries. In an aspect, wherein offshore well drilling operations areinvolved, sea water sources are often employed (e.g. saltwater ornon-saltwater). Beneficially, the composition, methods, and kits includeor are suitable for use with any types of water and provide effectivequantification of peroxycarboxylic acid with any of such water sources.

Large volumes of water are required in oil and gas operations. As aresult, in an aspect of the disclosure, recycled water sources (e.g.produced waters) are often employed to reduce the amount of afreshwater, pond water or sea water source required. Recycled orproduced water are understood to include non-potable water sources. Theuse of such produced waters (in combination with freshwater, pond wateror sea water) reduces certain economic and/or environmental constraints.In an aspect of the disclosure, thousands to millions of gallons ofwater may be employed and the combination of produced water with freshwater sources provides significant economic and environmentaladvantages.

It is the large volumes of water required in oil and gas operations andstored in ponds, underground reservoirs, or the like whose volume isalmost impossible to measure or estimate, that makes the presentdisclosure valuable because accurate quantification of peracid couldsave a lot of money and reduce harm to environment and equipment. Withthe present disclosure, one does not have to treat a water source to anunnecessary higher level of peroxycarboxylic acid(s) or to release awater source with a harmful level of peracid as well.

In some aspects, a water source may go through a pretreatment orpost-treatment step as well. For example, a peracid composition istreated with a peroxide-reducing agent to reduce the hydrogen peroxideconcentration in a use solution before the peracid composition isapplied to a water source. Or in some other situations, the water sourceitself is treated with a peroxide-reducing agent to reduce the hydrogenperoxide concentration after a peroxycarboxylic acid is applied.Thereafter, the water source or peroxycarboxylic acid composition maycontain the desired peracetic acid concentrations, but with low and/orno hydrogen peroxide concentration.

In some aspects, a water source or peroxycarboxylic acid composition isa composition for disinfection and simultaneous decontamination ofobjects contaminated by conventional transmissible agents (ATC), such asincluding bacteria, yeast, viruses, mold spores, mycobacteria, bacteriaspore, and non-transmissible agents conventional (NCTA) such as prions.An object, such as endoscope or other surgicaldevice/equipment/instrument in hospitals and clinics, may becontaminated by a TAC and/or NCTA, following its contact with certainhuman or animal organs and/or body fluids. For this type ofapplications, the peroxycarboxylic acid compositions may contain up to0.09 wt-% of one or more peroxycarboxylic acids. These peroxycarboxylicacid compositions may also contain up to 0.0108 wt-% of one or morecopper salts and other salts.

In some aspects, the desired peroxycarboxylic acid concentration in awater source or peroxycarboxylic acid composition needs to remain above1,000 ppm or above 2,000 ppm to be effective.

In some situations, a sufficient amount of the peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition in the use solution is added to the aqueous water source inneed of treatment to provide the desired peracid concentration forantimicrobial efficacy. For example, a water source is dosed amounts ofthe peracid until a peracid concentration within the water source isdetected within the preferred concentration range (e.g. about 1 ppm toabout 100 ppm peracid). In some other situations, after the water sourceis dosed with sufficient peroxycarboxylic acid, a reducing agent, suchas a catalase enzyme or an agent with higher oxidative potential, isintroduced to the water source to reduce hydrogen peroxide or peracidconcentration. In some other situations, an additional agent may beadded to a water source to block the UV light or slow down the breakageof hydrogen peroxide or peroxycarboxylic acid.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a water source orperoxycarboxylic acid composition may be pretreated or processed, suchas diluted, filtered, discolored, pH adjusted, before the water sourceor peroxycarboxylic acid composition is used to make the claimedcomposition. For example, dilution of the water source or using reducedamount of the water source and additional amount of water or othersolvents is necessary to make the estimated concentration of theperacid(s) in the peroxycarboxylic acid quantification composition fallbetween 1 ppm and 100 ppm in order to give an accurate concentrationmeasurement.

Peroxycarboxylic Acid (Peracid) Quantification Compositions

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a peroxycarboxylic acidquantification composition. The composition comprises a redox sensitiveleuco dye and a peroxycarboxylic acid composition; wherein theperoxycarboxylic acid composition comprises a C₁-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylicacid, the redox sensitive leuco dye selectively reacts with theperoxycarboxylic acid in the peroxycarboxylic acid composition to form acolored species, the redox sensitive leuco dye does not react withhydrogen peroxide, and the colored species exhibits a stable absorbancewithin about 20 minutes at a visible light wavelength and the absorbanceintensity linearly proportional to the concentration of theperoxycarboxylic acid of between about 1 ppm and about 100 ppm. As usedin this disclosure, the phrase “the redox sensitive leuco dyeselectively reacts with the peroxycarboxylic acid” means that the redoxsensitive leuco dye reacts with a peroxycarboxylic acid, but not withhydrogen peroxide.

In some embodiments, the redox sensitive leuco dye in theperoxycarboxylic acid quantification composition has a concentration offrom about 30 ppm to about 1000 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 50 ppm,from about 30 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 200 ppm,from about 30 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 400 ppm,from about 30 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 600 ppm,from about 30 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 800 ppm,from about 30 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 100 ppm,from about 30 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 200 ppm,from about 50 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 400 ppm,from about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 600 ppm,from about 50 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 800 ppm,from about 50 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 1000 ppm,from about 100 ppm to about 200 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 300ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 400 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about500 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 100 ppm toabout 700 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 800 ppm, from about 100 ppmto about 900 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm, from about 150ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 400 ppm, from about150 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 600 ppm, fromabout 150 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 800 ppm,from about 150 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 1000ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about400 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 200 ppm toabout 600 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 200 ppmto about 800 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 200ppm to about 1000 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 400 ppm, from about300 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 600 ppm, fromabout 300 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 800 ppm,from about 300 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 1000ppm, from about 400 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 400 ppm to about600 ppm, from about 400 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 400 ppm toabout 800 ppm, from about 400 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 400 ppmto about 1000 ppm, from about 500 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 500ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 500 ppm to about 800 ppm, from about500 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 500 ppm to about 1000 ppm, fromabout 600 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 600 ppm to about 800 ppm,from about 600 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 600 ppm to about 1000ppm, from about 700 ppm to about 800 ppm, from about 700 ppm to about900 ppm, from about 700 ppm to about 1000 ppm, from about 800 ppm toabout 900 ppm, from about 800 ppm to about 1000 ppm, or from about 900ppm to about 1000 ppm.

In some embodiments, the redox sensitive leuco dye in theperoxycarboxylic acid quantification composition has a concentration ofabout 30 ppm, about 40 ppm, about 50 ppm, about 80 ppm, about 100 ppm,about 150 ppm, about 200 ppm, about 250 ppm, about 300 ppm, about 350ppm, about 450 ppm, about 500 ppm, about 550 ppm, about 600 ppm, about650 ppm, about 700 ppm, about 750 ppm, about 800 ppm, about 850 ppm,about 900 ppm, about 950 ppm, about 1000 ppm, or any value therebetween.

In some other embodiments, the quantification composition is free ofiodide or any other catalysts for the oxidation of the redox sensitiveleuco dye, such as molybdate.

In some other embodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acid composition furthercomprises hydrogen peroxide, a C₁-C₂₂ carboxylic acid, or combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acid composition is a dilutedantimicrobial peroxycarboxylic acid composition including a water sourceselected from the group consisting of fresh water, pond water, seawater, produced water, and combination thereof, wherein the fresh water,pond water, sea water, produced water, or a combination thereof has beentreated previously with an antimicrobial peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition. In some other embodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition is a water source previously treated with an antimicrobialperoxycarboxylic acid composition.

In some embodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acid composition is a dilutedantimicrobial peroxycarboxylic acid composition.

In some embodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acid composition in theperoxycarboxylic acid quantification composition comprises peroxyformicacid. In some other embodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acid compositioncomprises peroxyacetic acid. In yet some other embodiments, theperoxycarboxylic acid composition comprises a C₁-C₂₂, C₁-C₂, C₃-C₆,C₇-C₁₂, C₁₃-C₁₈, or C₁₈-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acid. In yet otherembodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises acombination of C₁-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acids, or a C₁-C₂₂peroxycarboxylic acid and a persulfonated carboxylic acid.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid inthe peroxycarboxylic acid composition is from about 1 ppm to about 100ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 5 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm,from about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 30 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 40 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 60 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 10 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 20 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 30 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 40 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 50 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 60 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 20 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 30 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 40 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 50 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 60 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 15 ppm to about 30 ppm, from about 15 ppm to about 40 ppm, fromabout 15 ppm to about 50 ppm, from about 15 ppm to about 60 ppm, fromabout 15 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 15 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 15 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 15 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 20 ppm to about 30 ppm, from about 20 ppm to about 40 ppm, fromabout 20 ppm to about 50 ppm, from about 20 ppm to about 60 ppm, fromabout 20 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 20 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 20 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 20 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 30 ppm to about 40 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 50 ppm, fromabout 30 ppm to about 60 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 30 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 30 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 40 ppm to about 50 ppm, fromabout 40 ppm to about 60 ppm, from about 40 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 40 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 40 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 40 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 60 ppm, fromabout 50 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 50 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 60 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 60 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 60 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 60 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 70 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 70 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 70 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 80 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 80 ppm to about 100 ppm, or from about 90 ppm to about 100 ppm.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid inthe peroxycarboxylic acid composition is about 1 ppm, about 3 ppm, about4 ppm, about 5 ppm, about 8 ppm, about 10 ppm, about 15 ppm, about 20ppm, about 25 ppm, about 30 ppm, about 35 ppm, about 45 ppm, about 50ppm, about 55 ppm, about 60 ppm, about 65 ppm, about 70 ppm, about 75ppm, about 80 ppm, about 85 ppm, about 90 ppm, about 95 ppm, about 100ppm, or any value there between.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid inthe peroxycarboxylic acid composition is at least 1,000 ppm, at least2,000 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 3,000 ppm, from about 100 ppm toabout 2,500 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 2,000 ppm, from about 100ppm to about 1,500 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, fromabout 100 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 800 ppm,from about 100 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 600ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about400 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 100 ppm toabout 200 ppm, about 150 ppm, about 200 ppm, about 250 ppm, about 300ppm, about 350 ppm, about 400 ppm, about 450 ppm, about 500 ppm, about600 ppm, about 650 ppm, about 700 ppm, about 750 ppm, about 800 ppm,about 900 ppm, about 1000 ppm, about 1,100 ppm, about 1,200 ppm, about1,300 ppm, about 1,400 ppm, about 1,500 ppm, about 1,600 ppm, about1,700 ppm, about 1,800 ppm, about 1,900 ppm, about 2,000 ppm, about2,200 ppm, about 2,400 ppm, about 2,600 ppm, about 2,800 ppm, about3,000 ppm, or any value there between.

If the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid in theperoxycarboxylic acid composition is high, for example, above 100 ppm orabove 200 ppm, either a reduced amount of the composition or dilution ofthe composition is necessary to make the final concentration of theperoxycarboxylic acid(s) in the peroxycarboxylic acid quantificationcomposition fall in between 1 ppm and 100 ppm. One skilled in the artknows how to use water or other solvent together with using reducedamount of the original peroxycarboxylic acid composition to achieve thedesired concentration of from about 1 ppm to about 100 ppm in the finalperoxycarboxylic acid quantification composition. One skilled in the artalso knows how to use two or more different dilutions to make sure theperoxycarboxylic acid concentration in the final peroxycarboxylic acidquantification composition is indeed within the 1 ppm to 100 ppm range.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid inthe peroxycarboxylic acid composition is diluted from a higherconcentration to a concentration of from about 1 ppm to about 100 ppm.The dilution of the peroxycarboxylic acid is through adding more wateror other solvent to the peroxycarboxylic acid or adding reduced amountof the peroxycarboxylic acid composition and additional amount of wateror other solvents.

In some embodiments, the quantification composition has a pH of fromabout 2 to about 9, from about 3 to about 5, about 3, about 3.5, about2, about, 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, orany value there between. In some other embodiments, the composition hasa pH of from about 2 to about 3, from about 3 to about 4, from about 4to about 5, from about 5 to about 7, from about 7 to about 9, from about2 to about 5, from about 5 to about 9, or any value there between.

In some embodiments, the redox sensitive leuco dye is a benzidine orbenzidine derivatives. In some other embodiments, the redox sensitiveleuco dye is 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB).

In some embodiments, the visible light wavelength is from about 400 nmto about 700 nm, about 400 nm, about 440 nm, about 460 nm, about 480 nm,about 500 nm, about 520 nm, about 540 nm, about 560 nm, about 580 nm,about 600 nm, about 620 nm, about 640 nm, about 660 nm, about 680 nm,about 700 nm, or any value there between.

In some embodiments, the visible light wavelength is about 424 nm.

In some embodiments, the quantification composition is resulted fromsimply mixing the leuco dye with the peroxycarboxylic acid compositionor a porting of the peroxycarboxylic acid composition for which theperoxycarboxylic acid concentration need to be measured. In some otherembodiments, the quantification composition is resulted from mixing theredox sensitive leuco dye with a pretreated peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition. The pretreated peroxycarboxylic acid composition is aresult of diluting, de-coloring, pH adjusting, or other commonconditioning of the original peroxycarboxylic acid composition or aportion of the original peroxycarboxylic acid composition.

In some embodiments, the redox sensitive leuco dye is a solid when itmixes with the peroxycarboxylic acid composition or a portion of theperoxycarboxylic acid composition. In some other embodiments, the redoxsensitive leuco dye is in a solvent. In some embodiments, the redoxsensitive leuco dye is in a solid state when it mixes with theperoxycarboxylic acid composition or a portion of the peroxycarboxylicacid composition. In some other embodiments, the redox sensitive leucodye is dissolved in water or a solvent.

In some embodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acid quantificationcomposition further comprises other chemical agents for adjusting ormaintaining pH of the composition (agent for pH buffering). Agents usedfor adjusting pH include but are not limited to bicarbonate, acetates,phosphates, tris (tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) salts, HEPES(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid), and etc.

In practice, a peroxycarboxylic acid quantification composition isformed by mixing a composition comprising the redox sensitive leuco dyewith a sample taken from the water source or peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition, with or without addition of water or other solvents. Thecomposition comprising the redox sensitive leuco dye can be a solidmixture or liquid solution.

For example, in a vial containing a solid composition comprising theredox sensitive leuco dye and having a set 10 mL volume mark, one canadd 10 mL of the water source or peroxycarboxy acid composition to the10 mL volume mark to form the peroxycarboxylic acid quantificationcomposition. In this case, the measured concentration forperoxycarboxylic acid reflects the peroxycarboxylic acid concentrationin the water source or peroxycarboxylic acid composition. In anothersituation, one can add 1 mL of the water source into a similar vial,then add water to the 10 mL volume mark to form the peroxycarboxylicacid quantification composition. In this situation, the measuredconcentration is 1/10 of the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acidin the original water source. In this way, a concentration of from about10 ppm to 1,000 ppm can be measured accurately. In a similar fashion,higher concentration of more than 1,000 ppm can be measured as well.

Method of Quantifying a Peroxycarboxylic Acid Concentration in a TreatedWater Source

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method ofquantifying a peroxycarboxylic acid concentration in a treated watersource. The method comprises providing a water source or a sample of awater source, contacting the water source with a redox sensitive leucodye to form a peroxycarboxylic acid quantification composition, andmeasuring an absorbance of the peroxycarboxylic acid quantificationcomposition at a visible light wavelength to quantify theperoxycarboxylic acid by using the absorbance-peroxycarboxylic acidconcentration standard curve or by comparing the color of theperoxycarboxylic acid quantification against a color-peroxycarboxylicacid concentration chart; wherein the water source comprises a C₁-C₂₂peroxycarboxylic acid, a C₁-C₂₂ carboxylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, or acombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises pretreating,de-coloring, diluting, or a combination thereof of the water sourcebefore its contact with the redox sensitive leuco dye.

In some embodiments, the water source is selected from fresh water, pondwater, sea water, produced water, and combinations thereof. In someother embodiments, the water source is a peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition.

In some embodiments, the leuco dye is solid when it contacts with thewater source or pretreated water source. In some other embodiments, theleuco dye is in a solvent. In some other embodiments, the solvent is analcohol, water, a ketone, ether or mixture thereof.

For the present disclosure, the step of contacting the water source witha dye is not a titration process during which the contacting of thewater source is done in a multiple step fashion.

In some embodiments, the water source comprises peroxyformic acid. Insome other embodiments, the water comprises peroxyacetic acid. In yetanother embodiment, the water source comprises a C₃-C₁₈, C₃-C₆, C₇-C₁₂,C₁₃-C₁₈, or C₁₈-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acid. In yet other embodiments, theperoxycarboxylic acid composition comprises a combination of C₁-C₂₂peroxycarboxylic acids, or a C₁-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acid and apersulfonated carboxylic acid.

In some embodiments, the peroxycarboxylic acid in the water source isfrom about 1 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 5 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 10 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 30 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 40 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 50 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 60 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 1 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 1 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 10 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 20 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 30 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 40 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 50 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 60 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 5 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 20 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 30 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 40 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 50 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 60 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 10 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 15 ppm to about 30 ppm, fromabout 15 ppm to about 40 ppm, from about 15 ppm to about 50 ppm, fromabout 15 ppm to about 60 ppm, from about 15 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 15 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 15 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 15 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 20 ppm to about 30 ppm, fromabout 20 ppm to about 40 ppm, from about 20 ppm to about 50 ppm, fromabout 20 ppm to about 60 ppm, from about 20 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 20 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 20 ppm to about 900 ppm, fromabout 20 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 40 ppm, fromabout 30 ppm to about 50 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 60 ppm, fromabout 30 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 30 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 40 ppm to about 50 ppm, from about 40 ppm to about 60 ppm, fromabout 40 ppm to about 70 ppm, from about 40 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 40 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 40 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 50 ppm to about 60 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 50 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 50 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 60 ppm to about 70 ppm, fromabout 60 ppm to about 80 ppm, from about 60 ppm to about 90 ppm, fromabout 60 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 70 ppm to about 80 ppm, fromabout 70 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 70 ppm to about 100 ppm, fromabout 80 ppm to about 90 ppm, from about 80 ppm to about 100 ppm, orfrom about 90 ppm to about 100 ppm.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid inthe water is about 1 ppm, about 3 ppm, about 4 ppm, about 5 ppm, about 8ppm, about 10 ppm, about 15 ppm, about 20 ppm, about 25 ppm, about 30ppm, about 35 ppm, about 45 ppm, about 50 ppm, about 55 ppm, about 60ppm, about 65 ppm, about 70 ppm, about 75 ppm, about 80 ppm, about 85ppm, about 90 ppm, about 95 ppm, about 100 ppm, or any value therebetween.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid inthe peroxycarboxylic acid composition is at least 1,000 ppm, at least2,000 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 3,000 ppm, from about 100 ppm toabout 2,500 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 2,000 ppm, from about 100ppm to about 1,500 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, fromabout 100 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 800 ppm,from about 100 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 600ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about400 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 100 ppm toabout 200 ppm, about 150 ppm, about 200 ppm, about 250 ppm, about 300ppm, about 350 ppm, about 400 ppm, about 450 ppm, about 500 ppm, about600 ppm, about 650 ppm, about 700 ppm, about 750 ppm, about 800 ppm,about 900 ppm, about 1000 ppm, about 1,100 ppm, about 1,200 ppm, about1,300 ppm, about 1,400 ppm, about 1,500 ppm, about 1,600 ppm, about1,700 ppm, about 1,800 ppm, about 1,900 ppm, about 2,000 ppm, about2,200 ppm, about 2,400 ppm, about 2,600 ppm, about 2,800 ppm, about3,000 ppm, or any value there between.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid inthe water source is diluted from a higher concentration to aconcentration of from about 1 ppm to about 100 ppm in theperoxycarboxylic acid quantification composition. The dilution of theperoxycarboxylic acid is through adding more water or other solvent tothe peroxycarboxylic acid.

Alternatively, taking less amount of the water source and more water orsolvents to form the peroxycarboxylic acid quantification compositionenables the measurement of a peracid concentration greater than 100 ppm.For example, taking 10 μL of the water source to make a 10 mLperoxycarboxylic acid quantification composition, the measuredperoxycarboxylic acid concentration would be 1/1,000 of theconcentration in the water source. Accordingly, taking 100 μL of thewater source to make a 10 mL peroxycarboxylic acid quantificationcomposition, the measured peroxycarboxylic acid concentration would be1/100 of the concentration in the water source.

In some embodiments, the redox sensitive leuco dye is a benzidine,bezidine derivative, or 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB).

Colorimetric Assay Kits

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a colorimetricassay kit. The kit comprises a clear and colorless vial containing aredox sensitive leuco dye and a color—peroxycarboxylic acidconcentration chart; wherein the vial can receive a certain amount of aperoxycarboxylic acid composition.

In some embodiments, the redox sensitive leuco dye is a solid. In someother embodiments, the redox sensitive leuco dye is in a solvent. Insome embodiments, the solvent is an alcohol, water, a ketone, ether ormixture thereof. In some other embodiments, the solvent is a mixture ofwater and ethanol.

In some other embodiments, the kit is free of iodide or any othercatalysts for the oxidation of the redox sensitive leuco dye, such asmolybdate.

In some embodiments, the kit further comprises other chemical agent(s)for adjusting or maintaining pH, such as bicarbonate and other pHadjustment agents to buffer the range of 4-10, in the vial.

In some embodiments, the vial has a volume of from about 3 mL to about50 mL. In other embodiments, the redox sensitive leuco dye in the vialhas a weight from about 0.03 mg to about 1 g, from about 0.03 mg toabout 1 mg, from about 0.03 mg to about 10 mg, from about 0.03 mg toabout 100 mg, or any value there between.

All publications and patent applications in this specification areindicative of the level of ordinary skill in the art to which thisdisclosure pertains. All publications and patent applications are hereinincorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individualpublication or patent application was specifically and individuallyindicated as incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES

Embodiments of the present disclosure are further defined in thefollowing non-limiting Examples. It should be understood that theseExamples, while indicating certain embodiments of the disclosure, aregiven by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and theseExamples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essentialcharacteristics of this disclosure, and without departing from thespirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications ofthe embodiments of the disclosure to adapt it to various usages andconditions. Thus, various modifications of the embodiments of thedisclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, will beapparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description.Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of theappended claims.

Materials 0.1535 g of Tetramethyl benzidine was dissolved in 20 ml of95% Ethanol. The mixture was diluted with water to 500 mL. Aperoxycarboxylic acid composition (15% peracetic acid and 10% peroxide)was used for peroxycarboxylic acid concentration estimation. Formic acidwas used as the acid and hydrogen peroxide (35%) was used as a source ofperoxide.Time Course of Absorbance Measurements

For absorbance measurements experiments 3 mL of the dye prepared abovewas used. 5 μL of the peroxycarboxylic acid product was used. Theabsorbance was monitored using wavelength scan between 200 to 800 nm intime intervals shown below.

Example 1

Time Course of Absorbance Measurements

For absorbance measurements experiments 3 mL of the dye prepared abovewas used. 5 μL of the peroxycarboxylic acid product was used. Theabsorbance was monitored using wavelength scan between 200 to 800 nm intime intervals as shown in FIG. 1. Table 1 lists the absorbance valuesat 424 nm and 326 nm, respectively, at different times.

TABLE 1 Time (minutes) 0.5 2.5 5 10 15 20 Absorbance 0.076664 0.2376950.394483 0.562642 0.633412 0.703008 at 424 nm Absorbance 0.1218220.197992 0.287249 0.493901 0.755197 0.966646 at 424 nm

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the absorbance features show two distinctpeaks. One at 424 nm and another at 326 nm. It should also be noted thatthe absorbance peaks increased as a function of time. After 20 minutesthe absorbance at 424 nm stabilized and did not show a significantincrease. For quantitative measurements, this data indicates the timeperiod of incubation is critical.

The peak absorbances measured at 424 nm and 326 nm are also plotted as afunction of time in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the absorbance at424 nm brings to saturate/taper while the absorbance measurement at 326nm continues to increase. It may be beneficial to monitor absorbances at424 nm instead of 326 nm for the purposes of quantitation ofperoxycarboxylic acids and peroxide.

The dye used in these experiments, TMB, is capable of detecting bothperoxycarboxylic acids and peroxide. The key however is the rate ofreaction between the two oxidants and the dye. As can be seen in FIG. 3Aand FIG. 3B, the dye specifically reacts with peroxycarboxylic acid andshows a color change without the need for the addition of any otherchemical or reactants, while no color change is observed when the dye ismixed with water, acid or hydrogen peroxide. FIG. 3A shows a colorchange observed upon addition of peroxycarboxylic acid composition withTMB. No color change is observed upon mixing TMB with water, acid, orhydrogen peroxide. Therefore, color formation with the dye is associatedwith the presence of peroxycarboxylic acid alone and not peroxide. Nocolor change upon mixing TMS and hydrogen peroxide alone is furtherevidenced by a lack of absorbance at 424 nm, the wavelengthcorresponding to yellow color, as shown in FIG. 3B. Only when an oxygencatalyst, such as a solution containing molybdate, is added into themixture of TMB and hydrogen peroxide, the reaction of TMB and hydrogenperoxide results in a yellow color.

Example 2

Correlation Between Concentration of Peracetic Acid and Absorbance at424 nm

Mixtures of TMB and different amounts (in μL) of peracetic acidcomposition were created and the absorbance at 424 nm was recorded foreach mixture after 15 minutes of mixing. The results are plotted in FIG.4. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the correlation between absorbance andthe concentration of peracetic acid is linear within a range of fromabout 1 ppm to about 100 ppm. As shown in FIG. 5, beyond about 900 ppmof peracetic acid, the absorbance at 424 nm decreases. This observationsets the limits of peracetic acid concentrations that can be determinedwith enough precision and necessitates the need to use at least twodifferent dilutions of the tested solution to ensure that the absorbancedeterminations are performed within the ranges of linearity.

Example 3

Color Formation of TMB with a Peroxycarboxylic Acid Composition,Hydrogen Peroxide Alone, or Acids Alone with or without the Presence ofMolybdate or Potassium Iodine

In this Example, color characteristics of TMB solutions with a peraceticacid composition, hydrogen peroxide alone, or acids alone areinvestigated. The color characteristics of the same TMB solutions butwith the presence of a catalyst or potassium iodine were alsoinvestigated. The results are shown in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C.FIG. 6A indicates color formation of TMB in the presence of formic acidalone, peroxycarboxylic acid composition alone, hydrogen peroxide alone,and formic acid alone, respectively. The mixture of TMB and aperoxycarboxylic acid composition shows an intense yellow color whilethe mixtures of TMB with acids alone or peroxide alone do not show colorformation. FIG. 6B shows color formation in the same solutions exceptwith the presence of molybdate as well. With the addition of molybdate,the mixture of TMB and a peroxycarboxylic acid composition shows asimilar intense yellow color, while the mixture of TMB and hydrogenperoxide shows mild yellow, and the mixtures of TMB and acids alone arestill colorless. FIG. 6C shows color formation in the same solutionswith the presence of additional potassium iodide. The mixture of TMB anda peroxycarboxylic acid composition now shows an intense blue colorwhile the other solutions do not show color changes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A peroxycarboxylic acid quantificationcomposition comprising: a redox sensitive leuco dye, and aperoxycarboxylic acid composition comprising an aliphatic C₁-C₂₂peroxycarboxylic acid, an aliphatic C₁-C₂₂ carboxylic acid, and hydrogenperoxide; wherein the leuco dye selectively reacts with theperoxycarboxylic acid in the peroxycarboxylic acid composition to form acolored species, and the colored species exhibits a stable absorbancewithin about 20 minutes at a visible light wavelength and the absorbanceintensity is linearly proportional to the concentration of theperoxycarboxylic acid of between about 1 ppm and about 100 ppm.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the leuco dye has a concentration offrom about 30 ppm to about 1000 ppm in the peroxycarboxylic acidquantification composition.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein thequantification composition is free of iodide or any other catalysts forthe oxidation of the leuco dye.
 4. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe peroxycarboxylic acid composition is a diluted antimicrobialperoxycarboxylic acid composition, fresh water, pond water, sea water,produced water, or combination thereof, wherein the fresh water, pondwater, sea water, produced water, or a combination thereof has beentreated previously with a peroxycarboxylic acid composition.
 5. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the peroxycarboxylic acid composition isa water source previously treated with an antimicrobial peroxycarboxylicacid composition.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein theperoxycarboxylic acid composition is a diluted antimicrobialperoxycarboxylic acid composition.
 7. The composition of claim 1,wherein the peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises peroxyformicacid.
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition comprises peroxyacetic acid.
 9. The composition of claim 1,wherein the peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises a combination ofaliphatic C₁-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acids.
 10. The composition of claim 1,wherein the peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises one or moresulfonated peracids.
 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein theconcentration of the C₁-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acid in theperoxycarboxylic acid composition is from about 1 ppm to about 3,000ppm.
 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a pH offrom about 2 to about
 9. 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein theleuco dye is a benzidine or benzidine derivatives.
 14. The compositionof claim 1, wherein the leuco dye is 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine(TMB).
 15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the visible lightwavelength is from about 400 nm to about 700 nm.
 16. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the visible light wavelength is about 424 nm.
 17. Thecomposition of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the composition isresulted from mixing the leuco dye with the peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition.
 18. A method of quantifying a peroxycarboxylic acidconcentration in a treated water source comprising: providing a watersource, contacting the water source with a redox sensitive leuco dye toform the peroxycarboxylic acid quantification composition of claim 1,and measuring an absorbance of the peroxycarboxylic acid quantificationcomposition at a visible light wavelength to quantify theperoxycarboxylic acid by using the absorbance-peroxycarboxylic acidconcentration standard curve or by comparing the color of theperoxycarboxylic acid quantification composition against acolor-peroxycarboxylic acid concentration chart; wherein the watersource comprises an aliphatic C₁-C₂₂ peroxycarboxylic acid, an aliphaticC₁-C₂₂ carboxylic acid, and hydrogen peroxide.
 19. A colorimetric assaykit comprising: a clear and colorless vial containing a redox sensitiveleuco dye; and a color-peroxycarboxylic acid concentration chart,wherein the vial can receive a certain amount of a peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition to form the peroxycarboxylic acid quantification compositionof claim 1.